Robert Potter & Partners LLP Chartered Architects & Project Managers Loreburn Housing Association Ltd PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, MURTHOLM FARM, LANGHOLM (LHM.H4) Masterplan t u 0 s 7 t May 2021 Robert Potter and Partners LLP Chartered Architects & Project Managers 49 Newall Terrace Dumfries DG1 1LN Contact: Douglas G Bodell Tel: 01387 255509 www.rppweb.com Contents 1. Introduction 2. Vision 3. Site Analysis 3.1 Wider Neighbourhood and Context 3.2 Site Location and Description 4. Site Opportunities and Constraints 5. Relevant Policies and Guidance 5.1 National Policy and Guidance 5.2 Local Policy and Guidance 6. Technical Reports 6.1 Transportation 6.2 Hydrology 6.3 Ground Conditions 6.4 Archaeology and Heritage 6.5 Ecology 7. Development Principles 7.1 Masterplan Principles 7.2 Land Use 7.3 Development Form 7.4 Housing Mix and House Types 7.5 Density 7.6 Site Frontages 7.7 Energy Efficiency 7.8 Affordable Housing 7.9 Access Pedestrians and Cyclists Core Path Network Foot Bridge Public Transport 7.10 Roads Infrastructure Transport Assessment Hierarchy of Streets Traffic Speed Parking Emergency and Service Vehicles Utilities Lighting Street Furniture and Signage 7.11 Open Space and Green Infrastructure Quantity Accessibility Quality General Principles for Delivery 7.12 Green Infrastructure Landscape Setting Allotments and Community Growing Spaces Play Areas Therapeutic Landscaping Management and Maintenance 7.13 Servicing Public Utilities Gas Electricity Telecommunication Foul Drainage Water Supply SuDS 7.14 Outcomes 8. Developer Contributions 9. Phasing Plan Phasing Programme 10. Community Engagement 10.1 Purpose of the Community Consultation Background Pre-Application Consultation Process Publicity Appraisal Feedback 11. Status of Masterplan Appendix 1 Extra Care Design Guide Appendix 2 Masterplan Land and Visual Appraisal Appendix 3 Masterplan Appendix 4 Phasing Plan Loreburn Housing Association Ltd Masterplan – Murtholm Farm, Langholm (LHM.H4) Robert Potter and Partners LLP 1. Introduction 1.1 This Masterplan sets out the overall development concept, the main planning and design principles on which development of the site will be based and the approach to be adopted for a wide range of key components to ensure a successful development. 1.2 The site will be developed in phases over a period of at least 10 - 20 years so the aim of this Masterplan is to help deliver a high quality of development and ensure the development, as a whole, accords with local and national policy and that development of no part of the allocated housing sites are prejudiced or restricted. 1.3 The Masterplan provides a structured approach and the context within which future planning applications for the individual phases will be developed, and against which they will be assessed, as well as setting out how the design and consultation process has progressed to date and how it is likely to evolve. 1.4 The Masterplan specifically provides a framework for the development of this site in relation to the following: o Access and Roads Network; o Open Space and Landscaping Strategy; o Affordable Housing provision; o Density and Land Use; o Drainage and SuDS Strategy; o Flood Risk Management Strategy; o Design Approach; o Integration with Existing Settlement; o Phasing; o Developer Contributions. 2. Vision 2.1 To create a high quality, sustainable and deliverable residential neighbourhood as an extension to the existing settlement of Langholm. It will help cater for the town’s anticipated growth and housing need over the next 10 - 20 years and support and help sustain existing services, facilities and assets in the immediate locality and wider settlement. 2.2 The identified objectives reflect the key issues to be addressed in order to achieve the vision. The Masterplan for allocated site will: o Consist of a series of well-connected areas, experiences and environments which will consist of approximately 130 No. high-quality homes, of which around 70% will be affordable; o Create a distinctive and welcoming place which is integrated with, and well connected to, the surrounding neighbourhoods, wider settlement, countryside and landscape; o Be developed around existing vistas, landscape and heritage assets to protect and enhance positive features. New areas of open space will form an integrated network of green infrastructure to ensure the delivery of a healthy natural environment benefiting the existing community, wildlife and biodiversity; 1 Loreburn Housing Association Ltd Masterplan – Murtholm Farm, Langholm (LHM.H4) Robert Potter and Partners LLP o Provide a mixture of housing tenures, types and sizes reflecting the diverse needs of Langholm’s growing and ageing population; including extra care housing both linked to the proposed communal/support facilities, general needs and amenity affordable housing to the southern section of the site and private housing to the northern section of the site; o Create a new road access junction will serve the site from the A7 which will form a primary spine route through the site that will be designed to accommodate cars, buses and bicycles; o Create a new foot bridge for pedestrians/cyclists will cross the River Esk linking the site to Langholm located to the north and vice versa. This foot bridge will be formed during the first phase of the development; o Consist of a clear street hierarchy which will radiate away from the primary spine road running through the site and will include secondary and tertiary road links throughout the development based on Designing Street principles; o Create a network of open spaces, connecting to the wider countryside. A key central area of open space to serve the allocated site will provide a natural focal point for the whole site and link the north and south sections of the allocated site. This area will be designed as a key publicly useable open space with landscaping, planting, growing spaces, walks and opportunities for play and wider community uses; o Provide high-quality amenities including allotments/growing spaces and play areas to meet identified needs. These will be predominately located in accessible areas of the key publicly useable open space and delivered early in line with the development phasing plan; o Create an effective and efficient local transport and highway network which promotes sustainable modes of transport; o Be developed with sustainable drainage forming an integrated part of the landscape created on the site to ensure that draining and flood risk issues are fully addressed whilst connecting with and enhancing green infrastructure and wildlife value of the local area; o Create an integrated services infrastructure solution for the entire allocated site; and o Design and construct modern housing that will use high levels of insulation and timber kit construction to the highest specifications to deliver low energy usage and low energy bills for the future occupants, addressing rural fuel poverty. The use of sustainable energy generation within the individual houses will be incorporated into the house design. The inclusion of affordable certified Passive Houses to the southern section site is key vision to deliver a local sustainable development. 2.3 The core principles for the Masterplan for the site are aimed to creating a development with: o A strong sense of place; o Distinctive character; o Integrated neighbourhood linked to the wider area; o Well-connected streets; o A sustainable and walkable neighbourhood; o A well-balanced mixed community; o Safe environment for all; o Promote healthy lifestyles through outdoor activity; o High quality open spaces and green networks; 2 Loreburn Housing Association Ltd Masterplan – Murtholm Farm, Langholm (LHM.H4) Robert Potter and Partners LLP o Protection of ancient woodlands; o Integrated SuDS and open space; o Integrated service infrastructure; and o Sustainable and energy efficient modern housing. 3. Site Analysis 3.1 Wider Neighbourhood and Context 3.1.1 The settlement of Langholm is located in Annandale and Eskdale in the east of Dumfries & Galloway. Langholm is defined as a District Centre in the Eskdale Housing Market Area and is strategically located on the A7. 3.1.2 Langholm lies between four hills in the valley of the River Esk in the Southern Uplands. Langholm is characterised by the River Esk running through the settlement, the floodplain of which limits development potential along with the hills that surround the settlement. There are numerous rural paths and tracks linking Langholm to the wider countryside. 3.1.3 Historically the only bridge crossing the River Esk was located to the south of Langholm, at Skipper’s Bridge. This location restricted the growth of the settlement to the east side of the river. This pattern of development changed in 1788 when the Duke of Buccleuch founded what was originally called New Langholm as a grid-plan settlement on the west bank of the River Esk, connected to the existing settlement by a new bridge, Langholm Bridge. This area of the town has developed as the main centre of the settlement with the majority of community facilities and more recent bridge crossing concentrated in this area. Langholm Bridge (to the west) and Skipper’s Bridge (to the east) remain the key vehicular access bridges in Langholm. 3.1.4 The site is connected in terms of vehicular access to a key transport route. The site located to the north of the A7 and east of Cemetery Road U253a. This site is remote from Langholm, separated by the River Esk to the north. A footway runs across the site frontage to the south over Category A Listed Skipper’s Bridge along the A7 leading back into Langholm. 3.1.5 Located directly to the south of the site there is an existing access point adjacent to the Category A Listed Skipper’s Bridge to the A7 major trunk road. The A7 runs south from Edinburgh to Carlisle in North West England.